The Legend of the Maple Tree at Maple Cottage

Take a stroll down Memory Lane
and you will come across a national
symbol, a maple tree at least 150
years old. This might not be the most
beautiful maple tree you have ever seen,
but it probably is the most famous.
As one of Canada's three most
enduring national symbols:
the maple leaf, the beaver
and the Mounties – it is
pure Canadiana.

This Memory Lane is
off Laing Avenue, a little
street that runs between
Greenwood and Leslie,
south off Queen Street
East. Here sits a small
cottage-like house know as
Maple Cottage. Also known
as The Grand Orange Lodge of
British America, it is one of the few
remaining examples of Ontario cottage
architecture style in Toronto’s East end. It is
also a historic site with a wonderful legend.

The old maple tree on the front lawn was
said to be the subject for Alexander Muir’s song, "The Maple Leaf Forever". As the
story goes, he was inspired to write the
song after he watched leaves fall off the
maple tree.

The author was said to have lived at
Maple Cottage when he was
the principal of Leslieville
School. The story about
Muir and the cottage,
however, is disputed by
many, including The
Toronto Historical
Board. Apparently
he never lived at the
cottage. There is no
doubt though, that he
is the author of "The
Maple Leaf Forever", a
song which for many had
become Canada’s unofficial
national anthem. (page 16)

When the cottage was scheduled for
demolition, along with the old tree, it
was saved by the City of Toronto and
many supporters. Today, Maple Cottage
is maintained by volunteers and friends who support The Maple Cottage Garden Club,
as well as the setting for art classes operated by
Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

References:

Institute for Canadian Music Newsletter,
Canadian Historic Sites
John Ross Robertson, Landmarks of Toronto

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